How to Make a Job Search Totally Exciting!

Do I see you rolling your eyes?

I know. Going from interview to interview and never getting that magic “yes” can quickly put a damper on any feelings of excitement over a job search or any future possibilities. Especially if the “now” at work is truly awful and then on top of that you willingly choose to go out and get rejected. Again. And again. And again.

Do I hear the word masochism?

For many, a kind of automatic pilot takes over and you just keep sending out the resumes and keep going to the interviews – if you’re even lucky enough to get any. And then you wonder why you don’t get the job.

Recently Tom shared a lot of great tips from his job hunt experience:

10 Things I Learned in My 3 Month Job Search

Clearly, the ability to keep going and not worry about the ones that got away is a key part of a success story. Even if you get 100 “nos”, you only need one “yes”. And by continuing to move forward and not look back, Tom got that “yes”.

But for some people, something else happens in an extended job search. They lose their sense of excitement and start to just go through the motions. And maybe they get depressed. Or they start to think they aren’t good enough. Or they become fearful of never getting another job again.

And if you bring any of that into a job interview room with you, it’s almost like interviewers can smell it.

From my own experience as an interviewer, as much as I understand how hard the process is on the candidates, I can only judge a person by how they rise to the occasion during the interview itself. No matter what else is going on in your life, can you shake it off and bring a  sense of confidence and excitement about the job with you into the room along with the very understandable nerves?

Why does that matter to an interviewer? Can’t they see how wonderful you are and know that you’ll perk up once you get the job? Yes…in many cases, employers can see beyond the shaking, tentative mess in front of them. But they also need to know that when things get tough at work and there are a dozen Chicken Littles running around saying “The sky is falling,” you will still be able to rise to the occasion and still give it your all. In a way, the interview is a microcosm of how you handle things.

Is it ok to be nervous? Absolutely! As I always say, just be yourself, and that includes letting them see some nerves if you have them. In fact, it sometimes helps to say it out loud, smile or laugh a little, and then move past that. Listen carefully, stay in the moment with your answers, and just be yourself.

But beyond that…they want to see energy, evidence that you know how to handle problems,  evidence that you know how to make the most of any situation, and that you have a sense of excitement about the job itself.

I was always pretty good at interviewing, but there were a few times where I watched myself just mouthing the words I thought I was supposed to say – just to get the “yes”. But my heart wasn’t in it. And sometimes when you really need a job, it’s hard to fake the passion. But they can see that and it won’t get you the job!

Some tips to help you shake up a dull job interview routine and find the excitement again:

• Prepare for the interview in advance and let your mind think about the possibilities. (I suggest a few such sessions of mental explorations.)
  • Even if the tasks of the job seem dull, see yourself finding ways to get to interesting new projects.
  • Think about exciting people you might meet.
  • Think about your boss congratulating you on your ideas.
  • Think about serendipity providing new opportunities.
  • Think about learning new things you enjoy.
  • Think about how this new job, even if it sounds less than exciting, will open you up to all kinds of new circumstances.
  • Let your mind run free with fun visualizations!
  • And if you catch yourself thinking “I can’t do that”… STOP! Really allow yourself to dream without limits.

• Take time the night before the interview to actually visualize yourself being interviewed
  • See yourself animated.
  • See yourself listening and nodding with a smile.
  • See the interviewers also listening and nodding with a smile.
  • See the interviewer(s) leaning in toward you showing enthusiasm and interest.
  • See yourself answering honestly and feeling very comfortable and open to the interviewers and the job.
  • See yourself leaving – shaking hands and everyone smiling.
  • See the interviewer(s) telling people “I REALLY like that person!”

• And most of all, if you’ve been doing the same thing again and again to find a job, try some new things.
  • Shake up your routine by coming up with one new thing you’ve never tried. (It must be legal, of course. )
  • Find one new person this week to network with. I know it’s a challenge, but I also know you can do it! (In case you missed this post: Job Search: The Simplest Job Networking Tip of All)

Hope this helps provide a little inspiration. Good luck finding the excitement again. And most of all…good luck finding that job!

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This post also might help. Job hunting really is an every day job!

Make Job Hunting a Daily Job. Oh How It Pays Off!

And of course, don’t forget that your A-List ticket to any interview is a great resume and cover letter: I’ll be doing my own resume and cover letter post soon, but in the meantime:

5 Must-Do Resume Tips from a Fellow Blogger

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New Work Coach Cafe Policy:

Although I had to stop answering individual questions (to preserve my sanity), as always your thoughts and stories are VERY welcome here.

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